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from Ian Macleod Distillers

IAN MACLEOD AWARDED FIVE 'MANIACAL' AWARDS

10th December 2004

Edinburgh, 10 December 2004: This month, Ian Macleod Distillers
scooped five prestigious awards for its portfolio of single malt Scotch
whiskies at the 2004 Malt Maniacs' Awards.

Glengoyne 19 Years Old 1985/2004
Summer Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky was awarded the 'Highlands Award of
Excellence' (Best Highlands single malt whisky), Glengoyne 12 Years Old Cask
Strength won 'Single Starlet Award' (most exciting new release in 2004),
Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength picked up the 'Bang-For-Your-Buck Award' (Entry
with the best performance/price ratio) and Glenfarclas 1991/2004 won 'Internal
Combustion Award' (the best performance/ ABV ratio). Islands Award of
Excellence (BestIslands single malt whisky) went to Ian
Macleod's Chieftain's Scapa 23 Years Old 1979/2003 malt whisky.

The Malt Maniacs are a group of 18
hardcore whisky fans from all over the world and include renowned whisky
writers such as Charles Maclean and Martine Nouet. The 2004 judging comprised
13 'maniacal tasters' from all over the world (Canada,
USA, Australia, France,
Germany, Belgium, Holland,
Israel, India and Taiwan) who this year sampled 3000
different single malt whiskies. More than 1000 of these whiskies were rated by
at least three maniacs.

The Malt Maniacs awards originated
in 2003, however for the first time this year each single malt was sampled
blind and no one submission could win more than one award.

Ian Macleod Distillers acquired
Glengoyne Distillery in April 2003 and subsequently became a fully integrated
distiller, blender and bottler. As part of its high quality spirits portfolio,
Ian Macleod distributes Glenfarclas single Highland Malt Scotch whisky
throughout the UK.

Leonard Russell, Managing Director,
of Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. said: "The Malt Maniacs' is a fun and
innovative way to tell the world about the best single malt whiskies. To be so
highly recognised by the elite of the whisky world is a just reward
indeed."

-ends-

For more information contact:

Iain Weir

Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd

T: +44 (0)1506 852205

Kate Nimmo

Profile Plus

T: +44 (0) 131 554 6111

Notes to Editors:

Glengoyne is one of the leading
premium malt whiskies in the world. The single malt has been distilled at
Glengoyne distillery since 1833. It is the only malt marketed as being
"The Authentic taste of Malt Whisky untainted by Peat Smoke" - The
Real Taste of Malt. The Glengoyne portfolio consists of the 10 years old, 12
years old Cask Strength, 17 years old, 21 years old and 28 years old, as well
as limited special bottlings of Glengoyne.

Multi-award winning Glenfarclas
Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky has been distilled on Speyside for six
generations by one family - the Grants. The Glenfarclas portfolio consists of
the 10 years old, 12 years old, 15 years old, 21 years old, 25 years old, 30
years old and 105 Cask strength, as well as limited special bottlings of
Glenfarclas. RRP price in the UK
starts from £21.99 for a standard 70cl bottle.

The malt maniacs are a friendly
group of 18 hardcore whisky fans from all over the world, including:

Australia: Craig Daniels, chairman of the Australian Malt
Whisky Society